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GLACIER

arcticintl.com

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Spec score 7.2 #17 of 26 in Tax Information Reporting Software

What it is

GLACIER is a web-based tax compliance system for institutions that host or pay foreign nationals. It helps determine tax residency and treaty eligibility, manage paperwork, and prepare IRS reporting. The system calculates the substantial presence test and reviews applicable income tax treaties for possible exemptions. It prepares withholding and treaty forms, plus year-end Forms 1042 and 1042-S for paper or electronic submission; federal e-filing and both recipient delivery methods are listed. Administrators can invite foreign nationals to enter information directly, track missing details, and send email reminders. Standard and ad-hoc reports can cover treaty exemption dates, residency changes, missing SSNs or ITINs, and immigration status expirations. It runs in a current browser and requires internet access and a printer, with no client software installation. Arctic says it uses TLS, database encryption, firewalls, daily backups, and weekly offsite backup rotation. Each foreign national needs an Individual Record retained through the calendar year.

Spec sheet

Purpose
GLACIER is an online tax compliance system for institutions that collect information, determine tax residency and income tax treaty eligibility, manage paperwork, and file reporting statements with the IRS.Read 9 Oct 2026 · arcticintl.com
Trial
The maker says institutions can try GLACIER for free, but does not state a trial duration.Read 9 Oct 2026 · arcticintl.com
Security
Arctic says GLACIER uses TLS, database encryption, firewalls, daily backups, and weekly offsite backup rotation.Read 9 Oct 2026 · arcticintl.com
Support
The maker says GLACIER support is provided at no additional fee by tax professionals, IT staff, and software engineers, with online help on each screen.Read 9 Oct 2026 · arcticintl.com
Headquarters
Austin, Texas, United StatesRead 28 Sep 2026 · arcticintl.com
Access and requirements
GLACIER is web-based and requires a current web browser, internet access, and a printer, with no client software installation required.Read 9 Oct 2026 · arcticintl.com
Forms and reporting
GLACIER prepares applicable withholding and treaty forms and year-end Forms 1042 and 1042-S for paper or electronic submission.Read 9 Oct 2026 · arcticintl.com
Institutions served
The maker describes GLACIER as suited to universities, colleges, research institutes, hospitals, foundations, exchange organizations, and government agencies that host or pay foreign nationals.Read 9 Oct 2026 · arcticintl.com
Record limit
Each foreign national needs an Individual Record, and the record must be retained for the full calendar year to support year-end reporting and tax-file maintenance.Read 9 Oct 2026 · arcticintl.com
Reports
GLACIER generates standard and ad-hoc reports, including reports on treaty exemption dates, residency changes, missing SSNs or ITINs, and immigration status expirations.Read 9 Oct 2026 · arcticintl.com
Tax calculations
The system calculates the substantial presence test and reviews applicable income tax treaties for potential exemptions.Read 9 Oct 2026 · arcticintl.com
Training requirement
At least one Institution Administrator from each client must attend or participate in at least one ARC Training session during each of the first two years.Read 9 Oct 2026 · arcticintl.com
Workflow
Administrators can invite foreign nationals to enter information directly, and the system tracks missing information and sends email reminders.Read 9 Oct 2026 · arcticintl.com

Plans and prices

Jumbo Priced on request Annual license fee on a calendar-year basis; one-time setup fee and annual tax training also apply. 2500 – 3999 Individual Records Read 9 Oct 2026 · arcticintl.com
Large Priced on request Annual license fee on a calendar-year basis; one-time setup fee and annual tax training also apply. 500 - 1499 Individual Records Read 9 Oct 2026 · arcticintl.com
Medium Priced on request Annual license fee on a calendar-year basis; one-time setup fee and annual tax training also apply. 100 - 499 Individual Records Read 9 Oct 2026 · arcticintl.com
Mini Priced on request Annual license fee on a calendar-year basis; one-time setup fee and annual tax training also apply. 1-49 Individual Records Read 9 Oct 2026 · arcticintl.com
Small Priced on request Annual license fee on a calendar-year basis; one-time setup fee and annual tax training also apply. 50-99 Individual Records Read 9 Oct 2026 · arcticintl.com
Unlimited Priced on request Annual license fee on a calendar-year basis; one-time setup fee and annual tax training also apply. 4000 or more Individual Records Read 9 Oct 2026 · arcticintl.com
XLarge Priced on request Annual license fee on a calendar-year basis; one-time setup fee and annual tax training also apply. 1500 - 2499 Individual Records Read 9 Oct 2026 · arcticintl.com

Every GLACIER plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Prepares Forms 1042 and 1042-S
  • Tracks missing information and sends email reminders
  • Offers standard and ad-hoc reports
  • No client software installation required

Limits

  • Pricing is available only on request
  • Requires a printer and internet access
  • Annual training is required during the first two years

Who it suits

GLACIER is aimed at universities, colleges, research institutes, hospitals, foundations, exchange organizations, and government agencies handling tax matters for foreign nationals. Institutions should account for the annual training requirement and record-retention rule.

Verdict

GLACIER combines tax-residency workflows, forms, and reporting for institutions working with foreign nationals. Its annual record and training requirements are important operational considerations.

Where Specifiction places it

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